Georgia School Shooter And Father Both Make Court Appearances Today

Georgia school shooter Colt Gray made an initial court appearance this morning at the Barrow County Courthouse, two days after the 14-year-old was accused of shooting and killing two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.

Gray surrendered to a school resource officer during the shooting rampage Wednesday morning and was taken into custody. He was charged as an adult with four counts of murder. Officials say it's likely more charges will be filed.

On Thursday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced that Gray's father, 54-year-old Colin Gray, was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children in connection with the shooting.

In making the announcement, GBI Director Chris Hosey said, "His charges are directly connected with the actions of his son and allowing him to possess a weapon."

This is the latest example of prosecutors holding parents responsible for their children's actions in the wake of deadly school shootings.

Jennifer and James Crumbley were first to be convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting after their son, Ethan, allegedly killed four students at a Michigan school in 2021.

During today's hearing, Colt Gray was shackled at the wrists and ankles when he heard Judge Currie Mingledorff explain that the maximum penalty he would face is life without parole. The judge initially said Gray's crimes were punishable by death, but later corrected the statement saying the death penalty is off the table because he's a juvenile. His next hearing is schedule for December 4.

Gray was taken from the courtroom to the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center where he's being held.

Shortly after Colt Gray's hearing this morning, his father, Colin Gray, was brought into the same courtroom where the Judge Mingledorff read the charges against him.

He told Gray the maximum penalty for his crimes, if convicted, is 180 years in prison.

During both hearings, there were family members of Wednesday's shooting victims seated in the front row.

Those killed in the rampage were students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, assistant football coach Ricky Aspinwall, and math teacher Christina Irimie.